Dear all, please see below Helen’s latest update. I meant to send this out earlier in the week!
Lovely to see everyone at the Guild’s Spring Meeting at the weekend. I’d seen a weather forecast earlier in the week that predicted it would be awful, so it was quite nice to see a pleasant, if slightly blustery, spring day. The clouds scudded along overhead and decided not to rain properly. Thanks to Wellingborough branch for laying on a great event and an excellent tea. Thank you to all those towers that did enter. It takes courage to put yourself forward for that sort of scrutiny. The Judges reported that they listened to nothing but good ringing all afternoon and you should all be proud of yourselves. Congratulations to Towcester, who disturbed the judges’ pencils the least in their piece and won the trophy. Thanks to Sue & Garry Mason for judging.
At the meeting the 100 club draw was made, the raffle raised £94 for the BRF and a BRF grant was awarded to Harrington to rehang their 6 bells and repair their frame.
The day concluded with a busy evening ringing at Orlingbury before a sizeable contingent finished up in a local hostelry.
CCCBR news
The President’s latest blog https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/04/21/presidents-blog-78/
While we are in contest mode, there is a National Call Change competition, to be held on 3rd June. This is in the style of a Devon Call Change contest, with raise, ring 60 on thirds and lower all being part of the test piece. This is not in Devon, but on the front six at St Mary’s Mosley, with other ringing in the area planned for the day. More details can be found here: https://nccc.cccbr.org.uk/
Guild News
The Guild’s 2022 Annual report is now available, with a fetching sunshine yellow cover. These are being distributed to branches for sending to officers and towers. If you want one, they are available from me at £2, including postage.
The Guild newsletter is also available in hardcopy. These will be distributed to towers. If there is a location in your town/village that would appreciate a copy, as positive publicity and outreach, please let me know and we can factor that into the print numbers. It has been added to the Guild website, and is available to read here: https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202304.pdf
Coronation Ringing
Towers should have received a pack of promotional materials. There are 2 posters, one a general information poster and one to advertise any specific ringing at each tower. There are some additional posters available, or you can print one from here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/coronation-ringing-posters
We’ve received a message from Northamptonshire’s Lord Lieutenant’s office asking if there is ringing planned across the County. I have responded in the affirmative! If you know when you are ringing, please let me know, so that I can pass on some specific details. I have already said that we will let them know of what ringing was performed after the event. In which case PLEASE make sure that you add your ringing to Bellboard and that you link it to the Guild event. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=16512 That way we’ll be able to find them all to save for posterity.
Dates for the Diary
Guild 10 bell practice Saturday 13th May 10:30 Towcester
Guild AGM Saturday 10th June. Culworth branch. Open Ringing at towers in the afternoon to be confirmed very shortly. Ringing and Service at Marston St Lawrence at 15:30. Tea and Meeting (at 17:30) in Marston St Lawrence Village Hall. Evening ringing at Greatworth.
Culworth Branch 8 bell Practice Saturday 29th April 7:30 Brackley
Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 5th May 7:30 Castor
Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Monday 8th May 7:30 Ryhall Focus Plain bob & Grandsire.
Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 18th May 7:30 Uppingham
Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 20th May 10:30 Mears Ashby.
Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 20th May 2:30 Bozeat
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20th May 7:30 Sulgrave
The next update will be after the Coronation, so I hope that all goes well on this event that, for a majority of us, is the first in a lifetime.
Thanks
Helen
Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
Peterborough Branch 